Effects of the "Happy Together" integrated cognitive behavior program on elderly people with dementia being cared for at home in rural areas.

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to apply the "Happy Together" integrated cognitive behavior program for elderly people with dementia who are living at home.

Methods: This research applied the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Research participants included 46 pairs of elderly individuals and their caregivers.

Results: The program brought about positive changes in the instrumental activities of daily living of elderly people with dementia and alleviated the burden felt by family caregivers.

Conclusions: Both elderly people with dementia and their family caregivers will be able to benefit from the "Happy Together" program.